“MUST HAVE BEEN MAD”

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 576, 31 January 1929, Page 1

“MUST HAVE BEEN MAD”

YOUTH ATTACKS WOMAN WITH CLUB DESPERATE STRUGGLE (From Our Oum CorrespondentJ PUKEKOHE. Wednesday. The story of bow a youth brutally assaulted his employer’s wife at Mangatawhiri on November 17, by striking her on the head with a wooden club, was related in the Pukekohe Court this afternoon. Donald Sharpe, a youth of 19 years, stood in the dock to answer a charge of aggravated assault. Sergeant J. T. Cowan prosecuted and Mr. H. J. Wily appeared for accused. The principal w itness said that accused came to the farm to work in July last and had his meals in the house. On the morning of November 17 her husband left to visit their holding at Mangatangi, leaving the accused to work at the Mangatawhiri farm. Sharpe was assisting in washing the dishes after lunch when he suddenly left the room. Witness was standing with her back toward the door when she was struck on the head with some instrument. BRANDISHING CLUB Turning around and screaming, she hbserved Sharpe brandishing a homemade wooden club of about 15 inches in length. She was struck a second blow and rushed into the passage, accused seizing her arm and delivering a third blow. After a desperate struggle she escaped, slamming the back door behind her and making for a neighbour's residence some 100 yards away. Before reaching the boundary fence she collapsed. Describing the nature of the injuries. Dr. A. T. Begg, Pukekohe, said the woman assaulted bore four wounds on her head and a bruise on the forearm. One wound was lacer»ted. ARREST OF ACCUSED “I don’t know' what I done it for: I must have been mad.” According to the evidence of Constable G. N. Douglas, of Mercer, this statement was made by Sharpe when arrested. The constable said that he was proceeding to Mangatawhiri in response to a telephone message, when he met accused walking toward Pokeno carrying two portmaneaux. Witness stopped his car and •upon learning that the pedestrian was “Don Sharpe” effected the arrest. After visiting the neighbour's house where the victim was, Constable Douglas said he was conveying Sharpe to Pukekohe *nen he inquired: "is she badly hurt?” Receiving a reply in the afnnnativo, he added: ”i did not think I hit her that hard.” “HOW LONG WILL I GET?” 'How long will I get for this?” he asked of the constable. “I asked aJ?' sai< * Constable Douglas, “what (ltd you do it for?” Accused replied, stating his motive. in & statement written by himself snff given to Sergeant J. T. Cowan, onarpe said he was a nominated emiErant and had arrived in the Dominion in 1926. He worked on severa‘ inems in the Pokeno district. Counsel referred to accused being mentally deficient. The magistrate, Mr. F. H. Levien, ,aia that if accused was unbalanced * n his mind he should be placed in mental hospital, and if not should committed to Borstal. Upon accused pleading guilty and eeting to be dealt with summarily, e . Wa s committed to the Borstal In- _ ltute for reformative detention for * Period of two years.